Telephone-operated service station



an- 1930- R. s. SHANNON I TELEPHONE OPERATED SERVICE STATION Filed May 24, 1927 3' Sheets-Sheet 1 Bi V c 61cm Patented 7, 19,30

a um'rao STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE RICHARDS. summon, or DENVER, conomo TELEPHONE-()PEEATED SERVICE STATION Application filed Kay 24, 1827. Serial 80. 193,870.

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for dispensing gasoline at a series of filling stations from a central station by telephone, and has for its principal object, the

5 provision of means whereby a customer at an unattended station may call a central operator bytelephone and request gasoline. The operator will then demand the deposit of the necessary coins. It the proper amount is not deposited, the money will then be returned to the customer. If the proper amount is deposited, the money will be released to a cash box and a gasoline dispensing mechanism actuated so that the customer may withdraw the amount of gasoline for which he has paid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic liquid dispenser having a delivery tank so constructed that when the tank is filled thesupply thereto will be auto-.

v detail construction of the invention, which is designed. for simplicity, economy and efficiency. These will. become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description. In the'drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved telephone operated service station, partly broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the teTe phone, taken on' the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the telephone, taken' on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the control mechamsm employedon the dispensing device.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the magnetic valve emnpiloyed on the discharge from the delivery ta I Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of the device. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a magnetic valve which may be employed in place of the motor of Fig. 1 for dispensing mechanisms in which the liquid is raised by compressed air and not pumped.

The invention comprises a gasoline delivery tank 10 supported on a suitable base 11 adjacent a telephone, designated in its entirety by the numeral 12. In one form of the invention a pump 13 is employed driven by an electric motor 14. The pump 13 raises gasoline from any suitable storage tank into the delivery tank 10 through a supply pipe 15.

The gasoline may be fed to the tank of an automobile through a delivery hose 16 controlled by a self-closing valve 17 and a magnetic valve 18.

Alongside of the base 11 a control box 19 n is mounted containing-the various switches, relays, etc.,- for electrically controlling the dispensing mechanism. These controls commature 21 arran ed to oscillate between two opposite pairs 0 electro-magnets 22 and 23, respectively.

The connections for the controls are illustrated in.diagram in Fig. 6 in which the power mains for operating the motor 14 are illustrated at 24. These receive their current from the ordinary light circuit of the station.

I A battery for operating the relays is illustrated at 25 and the control conductors from the telephone 12 are indicated at 26. Within the telephone is a mechanism, which will be I later described, for closing a circuit between the conductors 26. The circuit may, however, be closed by means of a push button 64 when it is desired to operate the device independ ently of the telephone. In the latter case, the telephone is disconnected by means of .a switch 65 and'the push button is placed in the circuit. 5

Let us assume that the circuit is closed between the conductors 26. allows cur-' prise a float operated switch 20, a relay ar- '0 the circuits and shuts rent to flow from the battery through a battery conductor,27, and relay conductors 28, energizing the electro-magnets 23. Ourrent also flows from the battery 25, through the conductors 27 and 26, an a conductor 33 to a solenoid 34 of the magnetic valve 18, thence returning to the battery 25. The energizing of the solenoid 34. causes the valve 18 to close and revents withdrawal of gasoline m from the de very tank 10. The energizing of the magnets 23 causes them to snap the armature 21 away from the magnets 22 and closes the circuit, by means of a relay switch blade 29, between motor feed wires to allow current to flow from the mains 24 and start the motor. The armature 21 also. closes a relay switch blade 31 in series with the electro-magnets 22, the float switch 20 and the battery 25. This latter circuit, howso ever, is maintained open at the float switch by means of a spring 32. The motor 14 now operates the pump 13 to sup 1y gasoline through the pipe 15 to the do 'very tank 10. As the level of the line rises in the tank 10,,it will'raise a cat 35 therein which is connected through the medium of a chain 36, over a pulley 37,

- with a weight 38 in a weight tube 39. The weight tube 39 terminates immediately over the arm of the float switch 20. Whenthe float has reached a predetermined position in the tank 10 the weight 38 will contact with and close the. float switch 20. This allows current to flow from the battery 25 through the conductors 27 and 40, float switch 20, relay blade 31, a conductor 41 to the otherso enoid 66, thence returning to conductors 41 and 28 to the battery 25, opening the magnetic valve 18. The magnets 22 are bridged between the conductors 41- and 28 and currentv will also flow to'the magnets 22 causing them to snap the armature 21 away from the magnets 23 and to open the motor circuit at the blade 29, allowing the motor to come to rest. The movement of the armature also opens the circuit-at the blade 31, deenergizin the solenoid 66 of the magnetic valve'18, am l deenergizing the magnets 22 of the relay. In other words, the armature now opens all of ofi all current in the .device.

The delivery tank 10 is now full of gasoline which ma be drained into the tank of an automobile t rou h the hose 16 by manually'opening the sel -closing valve 17. All or any part of the gasoline in the delivery tank 10 maybe withdrawn, after which; the above described operation may be repeated to again fill the delivery tank. Q Should itbe desired to leave the station v unattended, the switch is turned to en-' tirely disoonnectthe ush button 64 and connect the terminals 0 to the conductors 26, which lead tothe tele- I phone. A The telephone may now be used to conductor-s27 and 28 unease close the circuit between conductors 26 and operate the dispensing ap aratus as follows: The tele hone 12 is IOV]. ed with a coin slot 42 whic passes within the telephone and divides at :43 into a assage extending to the exterior of the telep one at 44, and a passage 45 which extends downwardly through a standard 46, which supports the telephone, to a money receiving bedded in the ound at the base of the telephone. Imme iatel above the division 43 a return pin 48 an a receiving pin 49 are arranged to support the coin indicated at .50, in the passage 42. The p1ns 48 and49 are carried in a pivoted armature 51 which oscillates between vertical pivots 52 before an electro-magnet 53. The armature 51 is caused to normally lie in the broken line position of Fig. 3 by means of springs 54,-and carries a contac't55 adapted to close a circuit between switch blades 56 to which the conductors 26 are attached. 7 1

In operation, the customer removes the telephone receiver, indicated at 57, from its hook and informs the operator of his desire for gasoline. The operator then requires that a suitable coin be dropped in the coin slot 42. The operator is informed by any of the usual bell and gong systems employed. in telephone pay stations, of the dro pmg of the coin. The coin comes to rest tween the pins 48 and 49. Should the coin droppedbe not of the proper denomination, the operator informs t e' customer and energizes the electro-magnet 53 by a-current in a direction which will rock the armature 51 so as to withox, preferably em- I draw the pin 48, allowing the coin to ass out relay magnets 23 to perform the operation previously described to start the motor 14.

It is desired to call attention to'the factthat means are provided to prevent the withdrawal of gasohne from the delivery tank 10 while it is being filled so as to prevent the float from measuring the pro 1' amount. This is accomplished throu h t e magnetic valve 18 which is closed at .a 1 times that the motor is operating and is'open at all times that the motor is quiescent.

Some of the present filling stations are equipped with comp air pressure sys tems on their gasoline storage tanks. The present invention; would.operate equally well with this type of station, in which case the pump and motor 13 and 14 are dispensed with and a valve operated by a solenoid 57, indi-.-

in Fig. 7 ,'is used in their stead. The

motor feeds" 30 are connected direct to the' solenoid 57. The valve is opened by the solnoid 57 and closed by means of a spring 59.

5 In this instance, the gasoline is under pressure in a pressure pipe 60 below the valve 58 and, when the solenoid 57 is energized, will an under-ground conduit 61, the main telecut is phone wires, indicated at 63, being similarly enclosed in a suitable conduit 62. The conduits 61 and 62 pass upwardly in the standard 46.

The invention has been described as empltging a single coin slot. It is desired to be un' erstood, however, that it is equally applicable to an number of diflfiering coin slots as may be esired.

-With this invention, filling stations may be operated from a single central station at 10- cationswhere it would not pay to employ a regular attendant. Stations where the volume of business during the day would necessitate. an attendant could em loy the push button 64 for filling the tank uring the day.

and then could connect the dispenser with the telephone .by means of the switch 65 for op-' eration after hours and ,during'the night.

The switch 65 is preferably of a double throw, double pole, lock type so that the push button could be entirely locked from operat1on when no attendant is in charge.

The invention has also been described as applied to a gasoline dispenser. It is desired to be understood that the mechanism would be equally valuable for the dispensing of any liquid, and it is conceivable that it might be employed for dispensing powdered, granular or'pulverulent material.

The invention has also been described in connection with the type of telephone in which the removal of the receiver places the customer in conversation with a telephone operator. The invention isnot limited in its application to this type of telephone, but could also be used in connection with an automatic telephone system in the operation of which, no operator is required.

Whlle a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be. understood that the same be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat-v 1. In a vending apparatus having an elevated tank the combination of a pump adapted to supply fluid to said tank; a motor opfloat reaching a predetermine lay; a first contact, a second contact; sa1deratively connected to said pump;-a motor circuit; a relay opening circuit; a relay closing circuit; an operating contact in said relay closing circuit; a ma etic valve; a magnetic valve opening circmt; a magnetic valve closing circuit; a float in said tank; a float contact arranged to be closed in consequence of said float reaching a predetermined level, said float contact being in said magnetic valve opening circuit; sa1d operating contact being in said magnetic valve 0 osing circuit, so that when said operating contact is closed said relay will start said motor and close said magnetic valve and when said tank has filled to a predetermined level said float cont-act will open said ma etic valve to allow the contentsof said tan to be discharged; a magnet operated mechanism arranged to close said operating contact and a remote con-' trolled circuit adapted to operate said magnet so as to close said operating contact.- 2. In a vending apparatus having an elevated tank the combination of a pump adapted to supply fluid to said tank; a motor operativelyconnected to said pump; a motor circuit; a relay opening circuit; a relayclosing circuit; an operating contact in said relay closing circuit; a magnetic valve; amagnetic valve opening circuit; a magnetic valve closing circuit a float in said tank; a float contact arranged to be closed in consequence of' said float reaching a predetermined level, said float contact being in said magnetic valve openin circuit, said operatingcontact being in sai magnetic valve closing circuit; so that when said operating contact is'closed said relay will start said motor and close said magnetic valve and when said tank has filled to a predetermined level said float contact will open said ma netic valve to allow the contents of said tan to be discharged; a magnet operated mechanism arranged to close said operating contact and a remote controlledcircuit adapted to operate said magnet mechanism so as to close said operating contact, said magnet acting simultaneously to release a coin at-the time of said closing.

3. In a vending apparatus having an elevated tank the combination of: a pump adapted to supply fluid to said tank; a motor operatively connected to said 1pump; a magnetic valve; a float in said tan a float contact arranged to be closed in conse uence of sa1d level; a refirst. and second contacts operated by said relay; a motor circuit controlled by said second contact; a magnetic valve opening circuit controlled by said first contact, said float contact being in said magnetic valve opening circuit; a relay opening circuit, said relay 7 circuit to cause said valve to open to allow the contents of said tank to be discharged and said rela to open to break said motor circuit; a re ayeclosing circuit, said .relay,

closingcircuit in said magnetic valve closing circuit; an an operating contact in said magnetic valve closing circuit so-thatwhen said operating contact is closed, said magnetic valve will close and said relay will close said motor circuit to cause said motor to fill said tank until stop I) said float valve; a magnet o erate mec arranged to close sai operating contact and a remote controlled circuit ada ted to operate said magnet so as to control said operating contact. e 1. In a vending apparatus having an elevated tank the combination of: a pump adapt: ed .to supply fluid to said tank; a motor opa eratively connected to said pump; a magnetlc valve; afloat in said tank; a float contact-arranged to be closed in consequence of said float reaching a predetermined, level; a relay; a first contact; a second contact; said first and second contacts 0 erated by said relay; a motor circuit contro ed by said sec- 0nd contact a magnetic valveopem'n circuit controlled by said first contact, said fl oat contactbei in said magnetic valve opening cir-' 1 cuit; a re a opening circuit, said relay opening circuit in insaid ma etic valveo ning circuit so t at when 881d tank has lied to a predetermined level said float contact will close said magnetic valve opening cirwit to cause said valve to open to allow the contents of said tank to be discharged and I 1 said relay to open to break said motor circuit; a relay closing circuit, said relay closing circuit being said magnetic valveclosing circuit; ano perating contact in said magnetic valve closing circuit so that when said operatin contact is closed, said magnetic valve wi closeand said relay will close said motor circuit tocause said-motor to fillsaid tankuntil stopped by said float valve; a magnet operated mechanism arranged to close I said operatingcontact'and a remote controlled circuit'adapted to operate said magnet t so as tocontrol said 0 rating contact, said magnet operating mec anism acting -simultaneously to release a coin at the time of said In testimon whereof, I aflix my si ature.

EICHARD S. SHAN ON. 

